CHAPTER 24: PROPHECY

\- ZARA POV -

As I lay there, wrapped in Kael's arms, I couldn't shake off the feeling that our love was forbidden. It was like my mind was playing a constant loop of 'what ifs.' What if we're siblings? What if our love is doomed from the start?... What if?

I thought back to my conversation with my mom again. She'd dropped this bombshell on me - that my dad was the king and Alpha of the Eastern Coast, and that I had a brother named Damian. And now, here I was, in bed with Kael, who might or might not be that brother.

I glanced up at Kael, who was sleeping peacefully beside me. His face was so calm, so serene. But my mind was a mess. I felt like I was stuck in this never-ending cycle of doubt and uncertainty.

I tried to push the thoughts away, to focus on the present moment. But they lingered, refusing to be silenced. What if we're related? What if our love is wrong?

Ugh, I hated this feeling. I hated not knowing what was going on, or what the future held. All I knew was that I had feelings for Kael, and he confessed he had the same for me, too. And I couldn't just ignore them.

***

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings.

“Wait, what” I was in my tent, but I had no memory of how I got here. The last thing I remembered was...My head on Kael's chest...

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I sat up, rubbing my face. What happened after that?

“Did Kael bring me back to my tent? And why couldn't I remember? I even whore my bikini.” I murmured as I took a closer look at myself.

Just as I was starting to worry, I heard a gentle voice outside my tent. "Zara, wake up! It's time for our morning training.”

I recognized Emily's voice and let out a sigh of relief. ‘Training??’ I whispered to myself, have I slept that long? The morning training is usually 10am, and I have never been in bed up till 7am.

“Ughh… is it,” I asked, my eyes adjusting to the brightness.

“Where you else where yester-night? You don't stay in bed up to this time,” She asked curiously, “Are you okay?” her voice laced with concern.

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But Emily's kind eyes encouraged me to open up. "Honestly, I'm a bit confused," I admitted. "I don't remember how I got back to my tent last night."

“You don't remember how you got to your bed?” she asks with her gaze fixed on me,

“Weren't you the one that told me goodnight and entered your tent yesterday” curiosity running through her voice.

–“Be careful who you trust, Zara”– Rens' final words ran through my mind speedily, and I quickly masked them off before Emily could read them. I realized I was trusting much more than I should.

Who knows, she might be the shadow figure I saw, I never can tell!!

“What! Did I just say that,” I pretended, rubbing my hands on my face. “I don't know when I said that; I'm exhausted, Emily,” I lied, hoping to divert her attention.

Emily's expression turned sympathetic. "Don't worry, Zara. You're just stressed from exhausting your powers back in the Eastern Coast.” She consoled me, and then I knew I had succeeded in diverting her attention from my suspicious behavior.

“Remember you haven't mastered your powers, So, whenever you use them, you might likely get dizzy that week.”

“Oh… thanks, Emily.” I gave her a blunt smile.

She continued “C'mon, Meditation will help clear your mind. Get ready let's go"

I nodded, feeling a bit better. Maybe Emily was right. Maybe meditation was just what I needed to figure out me… and Kael!!!

We walked in silence to the meditation spot, the sun rising over the horizon as we passed through the fallen oak log, King Arin and his wife strangely conversing

“Have you been able to talk to them?”, I asked Emily, gesturing at the couples.

“Nope… I want to know their motif first, before revealing myself… but” Emily continues as we stroll deeper into the forest.

Unknown to Emily, I got a glimpse of Kael strangely conversing with someone and taking a close look, it was Miera.

"What's going on?" I muttered to myself, slowing my pace as I caught sight of Miera and Kael huddled together.

Emily, walking beside me, noticed my distraction. "Hey, you okay?"

I nodded, not wanting to draw attention to myself. But my eyes remained fixed on the unlikely duo.

Miera's eyes gleamed with an intensity that made my skin crawl. What was she saying to Kael? And why did he look so... guarded?

It seemed as if she was revealing something to him, something she had seen, but it didn't look positive.

“Wait!! Could she be the figure I saw yester-night?” My thoughts ran. What could she be telling Kael? I've always known Miera to be the Jealous type, and she's always unhappy whenever me and Kael talk.

Rumors had it that she once approached Kael for a relationship but he turned her down.

I strained to listen to their conversation, but they were speaking too quietly. Frustration gnawed at me.

"What are they talking about?" I wondered, my mind racing with possibilities.

Miera's expression was unmistakable - sly, calculating. Like she was passing a warning to him. But Kael's face was a mask.

"Why do I get the feeling that something's off?" I asked myself, a shiver running down my spine.

Emily nudged me forward. "Come on, Zara! We don't want to be late for training!" She said, oblivious to my observations.

I hesitated, reluctant to tear my gaze away. But Miera and Kael were already going off sight.

"Fine," I muttered, following Emily. But my mind lingered on that suspicious conversation. What secrets were they hiding? What secret was she hiding? Did she witness our lovemaking yesterday?

My thoughts roared wide in me, but I kept masking them from Emily; I didn't want to drag her into this.

***

Miera beckoned Kael to follow her, leading him away from the bustling camp. They slipped into the shadows, the trees swallowing them whole.

"What's this about, Miera?" Kael asked, his brow furrowed in concern and curiosity.

Miera smiled to herself, savoring the power of the moment. "I've had a vision, Kael," she whispered, her voice dripping with an air of mystery. "A vision of the future."

Kael's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "What did you see?"

Miera let her gaze bore into his, her words dripping with malice. "I saw Zara, Kael. I saw her bringing about your downfall."

Kael's expression turned skeptical, but Miera could see the doubt creeping in. "What are you talking about?"

Miera leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Zara is not what she seems, Kael. She's manipulative, power-hungry... and she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants."

Kael's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger. But Miera knew she had him right where she wanted him.

"You must pretend to love her, Kael," Miera whispered, her words dripping with venom. "Gain her trust. Use her to win this war."

Kael's face remained impassive, but Miera could see the calculation in his gaze.

"And then?" he asked, his voice low and deadly.

Miera's smile was a thin, cruel line. "And then, Kael... you must kill her. If you don't kill her, what will befall you is inevitable… until she's dead!!"

Had Miera's words planted a seed of destruction... or salvation? Kael's face was etched with confusion and uncertainty.

Would Kael follow Miera's prophecy, or forge his path?

And what secrets lay hidden behind Miera's sudden prophecy?